Gay Life in Turkey

Unlike most people would think, Turkey is not simply an Islamic country with strict rules whrere religion dominates over all aspects of life. On the contrary, it is an already modern country lying on the border of two different continents and civilization and blending in itself features of both cultures. Exactly this frivolity and mixture of styles and cultures has brought about the modern appearance of Turkey, completely different than the one of the other Islamic countries. Turkey is the only Muslim country where homosexuality is not illegal which makes
Turkish gay life unique in the world: very vivacious and interesting. Nowadays, Turkey has got a special culture of her own. In the Turkish language the words "ibne" and "oglan" literally mean "boy" although they are sometimes being used as expression of insult. In fact, in slang language they bear the meaning of "gay".

Today, the dominating gay-life style for the gay people living in Turkey is divided into two groups: the "active" ones who would not accept to openly be called "gay" and who are mostly bisexuals, and the "passive" ones who pretend to be “women” in bed, and who act and sometimes dress themselves up more effeminately. So now you understand what the question "Are you passive or active?" means: bottom or top?

Istanbul with a population about 12 million is the glowing capital of gay scene in Turkey. Just as Turkey is a mixture of east and west, Istanbul is a summary of all the country’s people. Understandingly, its cosmopolite life leads to a very colorful gay life. This is the reason why you as visitors of Istanbul, can notice numerous trendy gay clubs. transvestites, modern gays, bisexuals, lesbians, rent-boys are all parts of this vivacious world. Therefore, if you are gay and don’t want to waste your life, don’t die before seeing Istanbul!!